Obviously, by reading the link and comments in the article I linked there is more to the story!
Your absolutely right klamath.
I read all the opinion posts there.
If I was this kids Mom since she is Catholic and if she is practicing her faith I would as his parent have him going to Catechism to learn about the faith he is wearing arond his neck and preparing him for his Confirmation.
It is a Catholic parents responsibility from the time they baptize their baby to raise that child in the Catholic faith/teachings.
After reading the Daily Gazette news story and opinions esp about the kid not really accepting his faith...I pray his Mother accept her responsibility to raise him (both of the kids/Moms) in the faith.
Giving him a necklace and no catechism education is like not opening his life up to the full Graces of God. JMO
If these two boys say went to Oregons St. Kolbes YMI teen summer camp it would IMO be taking them out of any temptation of the possible gang/up to no good behaviour.
And allow them to experience a great time with other Catholic teens and hopefully open them up to new life choices.
I would love the chance to sponser the kid if he was open to going to Oregons YMI teen camp.